FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The victim of a vicious attack at a Fayetteville restaurant was laid to rest Monday. Three suspects, who were arrested for the crime, have been charged with first-degree murder.

Marvin Wells, 76, survived World War II, Korea and Vietnam, but he did not make it through a direct attack here at home. Five months ago, Wells was leaving a Fayetteville real estate school when he was pistol-whipped and robbed in the parking lot. He had been in the hospital ever since with a skull fracture.

"It's just a tragedy for him to be lost this way before his time. We expected him to live to be 100 and believed he could do it," said Kim Sealey, Wells' daughter

.

On Monday, fellow Green Berets came to salute the decorated soldier one more time. His funeral marked with full military honors. During his 30 years in the Army, Wells earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star.

"It's just a tragedy that the people who've done this to him have no idea what they've done," said Jim Busby, Wells' friend.

Police charged Michael Ruffin, Rodney Bishop and Hugh Rolon with robbing a Subway restaurant on Cliffdale Road and then assaulting and robbing Wells.

"It's deplorable I tell you. He served in three wars, fought for freedom for the people who killed him," said Purple Heart recipient Tom Twomey.

Police said the three suspects are being held at the Cumberland County jail.